Santa makes an early stop at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, thanks to the St. Louis community

Home 5 News 5 Santa makes an early stop at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, thanks to the St. Louis community

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December 15, 2023

Maryland Heights, Mo. (Dec. 15, 2023) – Santa took a break from his busy Christmas preparations to visit Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital and deliver gifts to patients.

An annual tradition, the event was sponsored by members of the Maryland Heights Police Department and the Maryland Heights Fire Department who hosted the visit and raised money so every child could receive a gift from their wish list.

Santa arrived via police escort and spent the day at the hospital, delivering gifts ranging from gift cards to toddler pianos.

“Everyone at Ranken Jordan calls Santa’s visit ‘the best day of the year,’” said Nick Holekamp, MD, Ranken Jordan’s Chief Medical Officer. “Because the majority of our patients have complex medical conditions, they’re unable to go see Santa like other kids so we bring Santa to them. The visit is an example of events and programming we put on as part of our unique care model, Care Beyond the Bedside, which focuses on encouraging patients to get out of their hospital beds, engage with others, and heal through play.

“We would like to thank the Maryland Heights Police Department, the Maryland Heights Fire Department, and all the other local businesses and organizations that supported this event. We are so grateful for the generosity of our community and for those who bring some Christmas magic to our kids year after year.”

In addition to its Care Beyond the Bedside program, Ranken Jordan’s new research suggests more needs to be done to mitigate developmental delays in hospitalized children. This research was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Child: Care, Health & Development. Learn more about the research here.

Other local organizations that donated gifts and funds to help young patients at Ranken Jordan and their families celebrate this holiday season include: Columbia Fire Protection District (IL), the Fire Truck O’ Toys, Toys for Tots, STL Sports Outreach, Hawthorn Elementary, Mid Rivers Elementary, STLCC Wildwood Campus Student Nurses Association, Vantage Credit Union, Westport Plaza and JPMorgan Chase.

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“I still think about how Ranken Jordan changed my life.”

— Kiland Sampa, Inpatient Jul-Nov 2013, Outpatient Dec 2013-Dec 2014